Haplotypes variations of yellow stripe like (TaYSL) genes are associated with grain iron and zinc contents in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The availability of pangenome and resequencing of wheat collections have facilitated the discovery of gene-trait associations in wheat. Yellow stripe-like (YSL) proteins play a key role in the uptake and translocation of metals and yet have not been fully identified and analyzed at the genome-wide level in wheat. In this study, 26 TaYSL genes were identified and divided into four distinct clades, each clade sharing similar domains and motif compositions. Most genes were upregulated under iron deficiency, whereas homoeologs of TaYSL1 were downregulated. Both SNP-based and haplotype-based association studies were used to dissect the role of TaYSLs underpinning grain iron contents (GFeC) and zinc contents (GZnC) in wheat. TaYSL6-2B and TaYSL16-1A haplotypes showed strong association with GFeC, and TaYSL14-6A showed strong association with GZnC in multiple field trials. The distribution of favorable haplotypes in global wheat collection of [~]3000 accessions showed that majority of haplotypes were more prevalent in landraces and winter wheat compared to modern cultivars and spring types, indicating their potential for use in breeding. The combination of favorable haplotypes of three YSL genes associated with GFeC and GZnC were very rare, and most of the wheat accessions has single or double favorable haplotypes. These findings provide the first comprehensive characterization of the TaYSL gene family in wheat and identify significant SNPs and elite haplotypes that can be utilized for genetic improvement and biofortification.